Apple Inc.

Alexander R Ledwith

Marc Jason Krochmal

John Joseph Iarocci

Christopher C Jensen

Wade Benson

Daniel Ben Pollack

Christopher S Linn

Jerrold Von Hauck

Mitchell David Adler

Yannick L Sierra

Michael Brouwer

Alan C Dye

Eric Lance Wilson

Kevin Will Chen

Lawrence Yuan Yang

Joshua H Shaffer

Paul W Salzman

Eliza Carey Block

Keith Stattenfield

David A Schimon

David Alex Carter

Jonathan M Grynspan

Timothy C Lee

Darin Benjamin Adler

Geoffrey Grant Stahl

Ziv Wolkowicki

Christopher C Jensen, Jr

Jaques P Gasselin De Richebourg

Gregory B Novick

Bob Bradley

Conrad Sauerwald

Libor Sykora

Noah Witherspoon

Jiri Margaritov

A method of unlocking a second device using a first device is disclosed. The method can include: the first device pairing with the second device; establishing a trusted relationship with the second device; authenticating the first device using a device key; receiving a secret key from the second device; receiving a user input from an input/output device; and transmitting the received secret key to the second device to unlock the second device in response to receiving the user input, wherein establishing a trusted relationship with the second device comprises using a key generated from a hardware key associated with the first device to authenticate the device key.

Method of using one device to unlock another device

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for a trusted (or originator) device to modify the security state of a target device (e.g., unlocking the device) based on a securing ranging operation (e.g., determining a distance, proximity, etc.). The method of some embodiments exchanges messages as a part of a ranging operation in order to determine whether the trusted and target devices are within a specified range of each other before allowing the trusted device to modify the security state of the target device. In some embodiments, the messages are derived by both devices based on a shared secret and are used to verify the source of ranging signals used for the ranging operation. In some embodiments, the method is performed using multiple different frequency bands.

Modifying security state with secured range detection

Messaging between a companion device and an accessory device is controlled such that different modes of communication may be utilized. The different modes can implement different messaging strategies, each of which is intended for efficient power management, in view of the limited electrical power that is typically available at the accessory device. A received request message for sending from the companion device to the accessory device is sent if predetermined conditions apply, and similarly for messages from the accessory device to the companion device.

Network messaging for paired devices

Systems, methods, and devices can allow applications to provide complication data to be displayed in display of an electronic device. A client application can create a data object according to a template to efficiently select how the data object is to be displayed. For example, a complication controller on the electronic device can receive new data and determine which template to use. The data object can be sent to a display manager that can identify the selected template and display the data according to the template.

Providing complications on an electronic device

In some embodiments, a first device performs ranging operations to allow a user to perform one or more operations on the first device without providing device-access credentials. For example, when a second device is within a first distance of the first device, the first device determines that the second device is associated with a first user account that is authorized to perform operations on the first device. In response to the determination, the first device enables at least one substitute interaction (e.g., a password-less UI interaction) to allow the operations to be performed on the first device to be accessed without receiving access credentials through a user interface. In response to detecting an occurrence of the substitute interaction, the operation is authorized on the first device.

Remote interaction with a device using secure range detection

In some embodiments, a first device performs ranging operations to allow a user to access the first device under one of several user accounts without providing device-access credentials. For example, when a second device is within a first distance of the first device, the first device determines that the second device is associated with a first user account under which a user can access (e.g., can log into) the first device. In response to the determination, the first device enables at least one substitute interaction (e.g., a password-less UI interaction) to allow the first device to be accessed without receiving access credentials through a user interface. In response to detecting an occurrence of the substitute interaction, the user is allowed to access the first device under the first user account. In some embodiments, the substitute interaction occurs while the first device is logged into under a second user account.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for a trusted (or originator) device to modify the security state of a target device (e.g., unlocking the device) based on a securing ranging operation (e.g., determining a distance, proximity, etc.). The method of some embodiments exchanges messages as a part of a ranging operation in order to to determine whether the trusted and target devices are within a specified range of each other before allowing the trusted device to modify the security state of the target device. In some embodiments, the messages are derived by both devices based on a shared secret and are used to verify the source of ranging signals used for the ranging operation. In some embodiments, the method is performed using multiple different frequency bands.

Systems, methods, and devices can allow applications to provide complication data to be displayed in a complication of a watch face. A client application can create a complication data object according to a template to efficiently select how the complication data is to be displayed. For example, a complication controller on the watch can receive new data and determine which template to use. The complication data object can be sent to a display manager that can identify the selected template and display the data according to the template.

Providing complications on an electronic watch

The described embodiments transfer an activity from a source electronic device to a companion electronic device. The source electronic device receives activity information describing an activity performed in a first application at the source electronic device, determines an activity identifier for the activity information, and broadcasts an activity advertisement comprising the activity identifier. Upon receiving the activity advertisement, the companion electronic device determines whether a second application that is associated with the first application is available at the companion electronic device. If the second application is available, the companion electronic device requests extended activity data from the source electronic device. The source electronic device responds by sending extended activity data from the first application to the companion electronic device. Then, the companion electronic device uses the extended activity data to configure the second application and commences performing the activity with the second application at the companion electronic device.

Activity continuation between electronic devices

The described embodiments augment an activity performed in a first application at a source electronic device using a controller at a companion electronic device. The source electronic device receives controller information describing a controller that the activity performed in the first application accepts controller data from, determines a controller identifier for the controller information, and broadcasts a controller advertisement comprising the controller identifier. Upon receiving the controller advertisement, the companion electronic device determines whether a second application that can provide the controller data is available at the companion electronic device. If the second application is available, the companion electronic device establishes a cooperative-activity communication channel with the source electronic device. The companion electronic device uses the cooperative-activity communication channel to provide controller data to the source electronic device. The source electronic device provides the controller data to the first application to cause a corresponding action to be performed.

Companion application for activity cooperation

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Alexander R Ledwith